23 December 2021 - - US-based biologic therapeutics developer Akston Biosciences, Inc has posted positive data from the Phase II clinical trial of its second-generation SARS-CoV2 vaccine candidate, AKS-452, the company said.

The interim analysis showed an overall 98% seroconversion response after either two 45 μg doses, or a single 90 μg dose in healthy adults at 56 days.

It showed the vaccine induced a robust Th1/Th2 mixed immune response against the Receptor Binding Domain of the coronavirus spike protein.

The open-label study was conducted in the Netherlands and evaluated the safety, tolerability, reactogenicity and effectiveness of two 45 µg doses of AKS-452 with an adjuvant, given to 26 healthy participants ages 18 to 72, 28 days apart.

In the trial's second arm, a 26-participant cohort received a single 90 μg, which also contained an adjuvant.

AKS-452 was well tolerated with a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the Phase I trial. Adverse Events were generally mild.

The most commonly reported local symptom was injection site reaction (24.3%) while tiredness and headache were the most reported systemic symptoms.

Akston is testing the ability of serum from subjects vaccinated with AKS-452 to neutralize the new omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The company has also initiated development of an omicron-specific version of its vaccine.

The AKS-452 is a protein sub-unit vaccine, a type of vaccine used safely for decades. AKS-452 does not contain mRNA technology, viral vectors, or a weakened SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Based on Akston's proprietary Fc fusion protein platform, AKS-452 is a SARS-CoV-2 protein subunit vaccine candidate designed to induce a Th1/Th2 mixed immune response in patients against the Receptor Binding Domain of the novel coronavirus spike protein.

Being the primary locus for infection, the RBD is highly conserved among mutated forms of the virus, and in vitro studies have demonstrated robust antibody neutralization of variants.

The vaccine has been engineered to use standard, low-cost, antibody manufacturing techniques, such that a single production line could be capable of producing over one bn doses per year at existing plants around the world.

Akston Biosciences Corp. leverages its novel fusion protein platform to develop and manufacture new classes of biologics, including vaccines, ultra-long-acting insulins, and autoimmune disease therapies.

Founded by the team that developed the world's first clinical glucose-responsive insulin at SmartCells, Inc. (sold to Merck and Co.), Akston has partnered with Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC to commercialize once-a-week canine and feline insulin therapies.

It operates a GMP biologics manufacturing facility and research laboratory at its Beverly, Mass. location.